A federal appeals court has ruled against the University of Notre Dame in a lawsuit over the Obamacare contraception mandate.

Notre Dame filed suit last year, claiming that forcing the university to offer birth control as part of its insurance plan violates the school's freedom of religion.

However, on Friday, the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago upheld a judge's earlier ruling that denied the school's request to delay penalties as the lawsuit moves forward.

The Roman Catholic university said the birth control mandate violates the church's teachings on abortion and birth control, and violates the school's freedom to practice religion without government interference.